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Author: danl

Learning and Growing: Grant and Kaylee’s Time at ECHO

Written by danl on . Posted in West Africa.

Grant and Kaylee began their ministry in West Africa with CMF in early 2023, serving among an unreached people group where less than one percent identify as Christian. Their work is deeply relational and practical. Grant partners with teammates on a gardening initiative called “Gardens of Faithfulness,” which equips families to grow small gardens that combat food insecurity while building trust and community. Kaylee focuses on children and youth outreach, helping lead health clubs that teach preventative health lessons alongside Bible stories, and girls’ health clubs that highlight God’s love for His creation through Scripture.

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Why Fellowship is Life-Giving for Missionaries

Written by danl on . Posted in Guatemala.

By Luke Dove, CMF Missionary to Guatemala

If we can be honest here, amongst friends, being a missionary is tough. It's rewarding and fulfilling and meaningful and all those things but it's also just hard sometimes. It's lonely, it's isolating, it's stressful, it's being confronted with constant challenges and struggles and having to navigate things that are often well outside of whatever I used to consider "normal life".

Now don't get me wrong, I wouldn't trade it for the world, but it's not always easy, especially as one of the few CMF members who doesn't have other American teammates on the field with me. And even as I get more Guatemalan every day, there is still some part of me that will never be Guatemalan, that will never be able to be fully a local, and yet when I go back to the States, I am also no longer fully American. So I exist in this weird middle space being both Guatemalan and American and yet neither.

I felt for a while that I was the only one who felt that way. I went a couple of years trying to navigate that and feeling and holding that tension by myself (although I'm not sure I totally realized at the time that's what I was experiencing). And then I went to Mexico to attend my first gathering of some CMF missionaries a few years back. And then I went to One Summit, a gathering of all CMF missionaries last year, and I saw what I saw in Mexico on an even bigger scale.

Sure, my situation and context are unique, but I am not alone. There are a couple hundred other missionaries who know what I am going through, who are living it out themselves in their parts of the world. Who know what I am experiencing and have been in that place themselves. We may speak different languages and be in different strategy areas, but we understand each other. And most importantly, we are all in this for the same reason, and we are all serving the same God.

And when at these meetings I heard the stories of what God was doing on the other side of the world, something became real to me that I knew in my mind but maybe hadn't really understood in my heart, that I was a part of something bigger. That somehow the Guatemalan ghetto where I spend my days was connected to rural Kenya, to a university in Germany, to a church that's just been planted in a place I've never heard of and will most likely never visit.

In 2026 I hope to get to go to South Asia for a gathering with workers from my strategy area. I had to look up the specific location. I don't know what language they speak, or what the situation there is, I just know it's quite a far way from Guatemala, or rural Kentucky (where I'm from) for that matter. I don't know exactly what to expect, or what I'll find there. But I do expect to find God there. The same God that's here with me in the slums where I sit as I write this. And I know I'll find fellow missionaries who understand the work we do, who understand the difficulties of missionary life, who understand what it means to be in-between worlds and mindsets, who understand me. Who encourage me. Who I can share with and laugh with and learn from and be in community and fellowship with. And that's life giving. It's powerful. It's part of what keeps us going. What keeps me going.  

I'm grateful for the Fellowship. I'm grateful for the chance to meet together and share stories of what our awesome God is up to. And I'm grateful for the people who help make that possible.

Will you help us Strengthen Our Teams?

For missionaries like Luke, gatherings like this are a lifeline. They provide time for prayer, mentoring, and fellowship—helping missionaries stay spiritually grounded and missionally fruitful. They also offer vital support for children, creating space for friendships and fun.

Your gift helps remove financial barriers so every CMF missionary can attend a gathering with those doing similar work. Most gatherings cost about $150 per day per missionary, covering lodging, meals, and programming. By strengthening our teams, you strengthen the ministries they lead and the lives they impact worldwide.

Please consider giving a year-end gift to send a missionary to a life-giving gathering in 2026.

 

Providing Urgent Relief in South Asia

Written by danl on . Posted in Asia.

After weeks of relentless rain, the skies opened even wider—three straight days of downpour turned into a torrent. What began as a depression grew into a deep depression, and then a full cyclone. In some areas of South Asia, nearly 14 inches of rain fell in just 24 hours. The region has not seen such devastation since the 2004 tsunami.

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Faithful to the Call: Remembering Ona Liles

Written by danl on . Posted in Uncategorized.

On December 2, 2025, CMF lost a beloved partner and friend, Ona Liles—a man whose life radiated faithfulness, hospitality, and grace. For more than 30 years, Ona and his wife, Ruth, served in close partnership with CMF, impacting countless lives through their work in education and ministry, made possible through the support and partnership of their church, Central Christian Church in Mesa, AZ.

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Honoring David Giles: A Legacy of Faithful Service

Written by danl on . Posted in Ethiopia, Kenya.

At CMF International’s recent Annual Celebration, we paused to honor a man whose life and ministry have profoundly shaped our mission: David Giles. After more than 40 years of service, David retired this year, leaving behind a legacy of courage, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to God’s call.

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New Cultures, New Challenges, New Joys: Meet Our Newest Missionaries

Written by danl on . Posted in Ethiopia, Globalscope, Thailand, Uruguay.

Serving as a missionary is a profound privilege — filled with the joy of new friendships, cultural discovery, and sharing the hope of Christ. But it also comes with real challenges: language barriers, homesickness, and the emotional weight of starting fresh in a new place. We asked three of our newest missionaries — Micah Smith (Thailand), Anna Thormodsgard (Ethiopia), and Joy Reks (Uruguay) — to share a glimpse into their first few weeks on the field and how you can support them during this crucial season.

Micah arrived in Chiang Mai on October 8 and is already diving into ministry. “The Thai people are incredibly friendly,” he shares. “They’re always happy to include me in whatever they’re doing.” He’s especially enjoying collaborating with Thai Christians to create spaces where youth can encounter Jesus.

Adjusting to the tropical climate and navigating transportation during heavy rains has been a challenge — especially since he drives a Modo, which isn’t ideal in a downpour. Language learning has also proven more difficult than expected. “It takes a lot of time and dedication,” he admits.

Micah says the best way to support him is simple: “A quick reply to my updates or a text means a lot. It reminds me I haven’t been forgotten back home. And of course, prayer!”

Since arriving in August, Anna has embraced the rhythms of Ethiopian life — especially her usual 40-minute walk home from language school. “It’s my language route,” she says. “I stop to drink coffee, play games, chat with shop owners, and practice Amharic. It’s a fun way to connect with the community.”

But the transition hasn’t been without difficulty. Illness, cultural fatigue, and the mental toll of constant adaptation have been real. “I didn’t expect to be this exhausted every day,” she says. “But I’ve never been more aware of God’s grace and provision.”

Anna loves receiving photos from friends back home. “They’re a quick way to say, ‘I’m thinking of you.’ And I always need prayer.”

Joy joined the Globalscope campus ministry team in Montevideo in early September. “From day one, the team has been incredible,” she says. “There’s something special happening here — students are curious about faith, and I’ve had so many meaningful conversations already.”

Despite having interned in Uruguay before, this time felt different. “I didn’t expect to need so much help with everyday things — like finding an apartment or buying a lamp,” she laughs. “And ordering a kilo of ground beef in Spanish? Not as easy as it sounds!”

Joy has also fallen in love with Uruguayan culture — especially its music. “Candombe festivals fill the streets with rhythm and joy. It’s impossible not to smile and join in.”

She says the best support is engagement. “When people interact with my updates, it reminds me I’m not alone. And prayer — always prayer.”

Thank you for being part of something so much bigger than yourself — God’s global mission. Your support makes these ministries possible.